I wrote a melody and even recorded it but then somehow .......... nothing.

Anyway, Alan and I swap emails on a regular basis and he said he'd recently done an open mic with this song and was wonderfully gracious not to mention that I didn't deliver.

Sometimes we need a kick up the arse.

This is what I'm calling Hey Nonny Noasis ( after typing that I realised that anyone outside the UK may have no idea what I was talking about so, Hey Nonny No is a term we might use for an old English traditional style of song - other interpretations are available)

From up here on the roof tops you can see the planes
Tracing lacy lines across the blue
All the pretty barges moored along the Thames
But they're not for the likes of you, my friend
They're not for the likes of you

Catch a game on Saturday at the Old Town City Arms
Why not stay a while and have a few
They're serving latte in the cafe down by the Riverside
But it's not for the likes of you, my friend
It's not for the likes of you

If you haven't got the class then we don't want to know
There must be somewhere else that you can go
If you want to come back here and sweep our pretty stage
You can earn yourself a minimum wage my friend
You can earn yourself a minimum wage

Such a lovely place to live, to raise a family
The bridge at night is quite a view
But first we got to clear out all you people living here
Cause it's not for the likes of you, my friend
No, not for the likes of you

If you haven't got the class then we don't want to know
There must be somewhere else you can go
If you want to come back here and sweep our pretty stage
You can earn yourself a minimum wage my friend
You can earn yourself a minimum wage

The Queen Caroline cycle of songs is dedicated to the fight to save the Queen Caroline Estate in Hammersmith, London from demolition. In short, the council want to demolish the estate and re-develop the site with possible relocation for current residents to another part of London. See here for the full story - Save The Queen Caroline Estate

Although this cycle of songs was inspired by the QC fight it equally applies to the disenfranchised, dispossessed and powerless across the world.

Each song is written from the point of view of those involved in the struggle or simply affected by the proposals in whatever way.

Powerful
These lyrics and the back story which they describe are so beautifully set to strong, narrative song writing, the effect being to engage the listener (even one from across The Pond) thoroughly in the story and the ramifications of so-called progress on the lives of the lower class. I really like the measured music that reminds me of a rustic fok song sung by hard-working, long -suffering men who earn little for their toils yet still persevere. This is not a song for the feint of heart, and it sure isn't rock 'n' roll. It is a serious message song performed as such and composed in a very traditional manner. For the effect created/desired, I can't imagine a better vehicle to convey these particular thoughts. And the projected inclusion of those disenfranchised elsewhere gives your wonderful number a universal appeal as well. Such evocative music is a real delight to hear.

Thanks Paul
That's a really detailed review and it is much appreciated.

First of all I had an excellent set of lyrics to work with. They conveyed exactly what I was hoping they would. Alan is a very good lyricist and songwriter in his own right and there are another couple of his songs I'd like to try (hopefully in less than 4 years though)

I have no memory of doing the melody and if it wasn't for Alan telling me I did and then finding the original guitar/vocal track I made I wouldn't have believed him. I'm sure I've probably "borrowed" some old English song for the tune and maybe someone will identify.

To my shame it then got sidelined for some reason.

Thanks for picking up on the serious nature of the song. My wife suggested it should be more upbeat but I said that would be to subvert the message (although it might be an entertaining exercise!)

This is
really good Dick..... great poetry and i love the way the first few lines sell you something really nice only to elbow you out of the way 'cause you're not good enough..... you create great atmospherics with the way you sing without backing and then the gritty guitars and backing..... excellent work you two, just excellent, regards M

Not for the likes of you
Interesting take on traditional music. The opening sets the trad tone, but the hard driving guitars take it into modern times. Bit of Fairport Convention or Steeleye Span in there? Love that solo around 1:50. Here in Australia we can relate to people being sent away from their home by heartless English rulers! I like this a lot, Dick. And it's good to know that if someone searches for the Keywords "bugger this for a lark" they'll find this song - I got a laugh out of that!

My history
is that I once got involved in the mid 80s forming a band to play covers of Fairport and Steeleye (and they weren't particularly fashionable at that time) but we realised we had enough of our own songs and Trick Upon Travellers was born.

My take on traditional style was formed in that period so that maybe explains this song!

Yep, the indigenous Aussies got a load of shit from us and I apologise (even though it was years before my time) for that shameful episode.

Grabs your attention instantly
Love the intro - Instant visual of you on top of a building looking down on the Thames. Nice guitar work and percussion. Vocals are clear and your voice is very pleasant to listen to. Great recording!

excellent!
Great dynamic soundscape. Like the Levellers mixed with Pink Floyd. I really like the lyrics too - very cutting, although I'd probably be sitting there sipping my frothy frappacino and reading Lacan.

I would
love a penny-whistle playing some melodic interlude in this- adding a touch more folk into the balance. Vocals remind me of the Levellers, but this has a more rockier than folk leaning. As always, a master of the narrative style.. and this is no exception. Gets in, makes point, gets out. Torys eh?

Great sound
From my 'cross the pond perspective reminds me somewhat of Elvis Costello or Tull (Lick your fingers clean). I'm sure I miss a few of the references but this is fantastic. Great vocals and great sound. Politically might fit how we treat our own less-than-documented residents.

You had me
with "tracing lacy lines against the blue". Then it just got better. I think I've mentioned before that Fairport's "Nine" is a big fav. This sounds like the tune Billy Bragg wrote fir that album. Really enjoying this on all levels Dick.
Cheers from Oz,
Neil

Great Song
I am always impressed with the work that you put into your songs and this is no exception. Great lyric and arrangement. One thought I had was to repeat the first verse at the end exactly as you did it the first time with little accompaniment. Might add a bit of drama to the overall piece. Excellent work!

I think
you have a great gift in that voice. It is as though you are the champion of everyman. These lyrics are spot on and certainly would be at home in musical theater. A fine collaboration even if patiently awaited. Glad you got to it. Thanks.

Not For The Likes of You
This is a real strong mix ... like your vocals and for me a treat to hear your strong English accent which suites that underlying tradition sensibility of the song... strong lyrics that work even better knowing the back story. That guitar crunches a thick wall that takes the whole traditional thing to another level. Solo rocks! This is really good Dick! I like Apb's idea of a penny whistle...
Cheers
SG

Not For The Likes of You
Very 'wreckless Eric' -me big fan. Dick you are as cynical as me but with good cause. A society based on, - as the Black Adder once said - 'too many fat bastards getting too big a cut of the cake' - target sighted - it has been this way for as long as I can remember and way before. Directors and 'corporate controllers' worth more than nurses ???? it stinks. That said I love your song and the way you do it and admire your perception. Oh and sorry I'm a bit late getting here.

Not For The Likes of You
Bit late, Dick, sorry. Been away fishing. This is a very, very fine post. Alan's heartfelt lyrics are straight out of the folk rebellion songbook and you have really pulled out all stops with the treatment you have given the song. Fantastic, really. Regards, Peter.

Arse Kicking
This was absolutely great. The writing's wonderful and the lyrics are so evocative. What a terrific performance, on your part, Dick. As some other people have mentioned, I really like the doubling and the harmonies and think they bring a lot of magic to the track. Nice work, gentlemen!

Biting.
Great stuff, I too like the way those harmonies are layered and the entire performance fits with the strong lyrics. The mixing and arrangement leaves a good impression too. Downloaded with thanks.

Enjoy
city sounds and the setting at the start, terrific group sound every pro sounding.
Stunning lyrics with a LOT of meaning, a song that needs to be sung for sure. Terrific delivery with a great pop rock sound of the current scene I think WAy to Go!!!!

Tim Minchin's smart black sheep big brother
Man, you should have been a party of Monty Python. They missed out! Your sense of drama and production, with such a great ear for both musicality, humor and irony, like Tim Minchin's smart black sheep big brother. Great track!

not for the likes
Moving people about like a pile of detritus shows how blind we are to our common and shared humanity. A powerful song well played and sung without pulling any punches in the delivery. Lyrics seem to turn to gold in your gifted hands Dick. I hope more people listen and get the point.

10 years here (at time of writing!) - it doesn't seem that long ago I wrote "it doesn't seem that long ago I wrote 5 years"...
Older but no wiser.
The musical projects that make up Amokopera are now complete and Distant England (the story of... [see more]

Folk-rock is a musical genre, combining elements of folk music and rock music.
In the original and narrowest sense, the term referred to a genre that arose in the United States and Canada around the mid-1960s. The sound was epitomized by tight vocal